Nigel is one of Gauteng’s industrial growing points: a country atmosphere of a semi-sized town with a pleasant residential area. Nigel got its fame for being a town with a country atmosphere and characteristics.

Nigel proved in a short time to be one of the most stable and upcoming towns in Gauteng, except during the economic depression, which made times tough. Nigel did survive, and even when the goldmines closed, the growth in the industrial area raised and even excelled.

The request for existing industrial ground came in great demand, to the point that accommodation became unobtainable. But Nigel foresaw the future and has enough residential, commercial and industrial stands available for any requirement or necessity.

The services offered by the infrastructure of Nigel are indeed a great advantage. The 88KV network offers the industrialist industrial stands and/or industrial units, with or without siding facilities.

Add the labour force that Nigel manages and you will realise that Nigel stands within a dynamic development potential.

Consumer needs are catered by a diversity of commercial establishments, including two shopping centers, namely the Sharon Park Shopping Center and the Angelo Mall Shopping Centre.

Nigel does not only supply regular services to the public, but also sees to the community's needs, such as sporting and recreation facilities and a modern library. Sporting facilities includes: 18-hole golf course, bowling greens, tennis and squash courts and many more.

The international known Marievale Bird Sanctuary is mostly inside the municipal area of Nigel.

The town has a popular dam recreation resort available that is mostly used by anglers and water sports enthusiasts. The Piet Wagener Game Park features springbock, zebra, duiker, ostrich among other fauna.

Several Primary and High Schools in town provide education to students of Nigel and out of Nigel. One High School offers a boarding house.

Nigel also provides for the needs of senior citizens with the Eeufeespark Retirement Village, an Old Age Home, and the Tini Vorster Home. The religious aspect of Nigel is well complemented by churches of various denominations.

Nigel's municipal government became part of the much larger Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality following the creation of new local government structures in 2000, along with most of rest of the East Rand.